Twycross Zoo counts its animals for 2017 annual stocktake

Twycross Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation, and many species at the zoo are part of European Endangered Species Programmes which aim to secure the future of wild species through captive breeding.

THIS past year has been one of the best yet for animal breeding at Twycross Zoo. When staff begin their yearly stocktake of all the zoo’s animals on 1 January 2017, 41 babies will be added to the zoo’s count.

Twycross Zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation, and many species at the zoo are part of European Endangered Species Programmes which aim to secure the future of wild species through captive breeding. Underlying the important role of zoos in conservation, over 65% of babies born at Twcyross Zoo in 2016 were from species that are part of international breeding programmes, including two Amur leopard cubs, a bonobo and a gorilla.

The Zoo is also home to one of the largest primate collections in Europe, and this year, staff welcomed the arrival of several baby monkeys, including the first Diana monkey born at Twycross Zoo in 25 years; the first ever L’hoest guenon born at the Zoo; the birth of a critically endangered black-headed spider monkey; and the birth of two Francois langurs whose father was transferred to the Zoo from San Francisco Zoo earlier in the year. Other babies born during the year included bushdog pups and Humboldt penguins.

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Zak Showell, Animal Records Registrar at Twycross Zoo said: “We carefully monitor our animals on a daily basis, but once a year, we are required to provide an official census of all our animals. The data we collect is fed into a large database that is accessible by other zoos from all around the world, providing vital information about animal populations and breeding potential.”

Showell added: “This year we have welcomed lots of new arrivals, from cute newborns to adult animals that have come from other zoos. I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite! Why not make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to come and visit us to see them.”

There are 153 different species at Twycross Zoo, of which 35 are invertebrates. Small and easily camouflaged insects and invertebrates, such as butterflies and cockroaches, are much harder to count, but their large numbers bring the total count of individuals at Twycross Zoo this past year to 2,699.

Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 5pm. For more information and to book tickets visit www.twycrosszoo.org or call 0844 474 1777.